Lions head coach Swys de Bruin skipped the South African team's impressive Super Rugby victory over the Chiefs in Hamilton, to return home due to a "serious medical condition".
South African newspaper Rapport reported de Bruin told his wife, Marilize, and the Lions management on Wednesday that his health had
deteriorated after which he was instructed to return to Johannesburg immediately.
De Bruin was notably absent from the Lions team that beat the Chiefs 23-17 on Friday night, after racing out to a 20-0 halftime lead.
Assistant coach Ivan van Rooyen was in charge of the team and will again lead the side when they take on the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday.
Although de Bruin refused to comment on the nature of his condition, Rapport claimed the 59-year-old has been suffering from a "nervous condition" brought on by the team's recent struggles on the pitch.
